Apple Updates TestFlight App With Support for iOS 9, watchOS 2

Today, Apple updated its TestFlight beta testing platform for iOS to support iOS 9 and watchOS 2. Since watchOS 2 runs native apps right on the Watch, this release means that developers will be able to install and run their apps on the Watch in order to help optimize and speed up performance in time for Fall release.

Unfortunately, today’s update does not yet allow for external testing of watchOS 2 apps, meaning developers are not yet able to provide beta apps to external TestFlight users. Bummer.

This update adds support for testing upcoming iOS 9 features — including watchOS 2 apps and App Thinning.

Testers can now choose how to receive update notifications for each app they are testing. Also, watchOS 2 beta apps will install automatically when the “Automatic Downloads” setting is turned on in the Apple Watch app.

Still, this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully Apple will allow public beta testing in a future update to TestFlight.

Update: An email from Apple seems to confirm that you can invite internal testers.